10 Things to See and Do in Las Vegas

Whether you're travelling to Las Vegas for a quickie wedding, bachelor party or family vacation, there are several activities for you to take part in. From gambling, nightclubs, world-class shows and incredible food, you won't leave Vegas disappointed. In fact, Sin City is full of so many attractions and activities you likely won't be able to fit in everything on your list. That's why we've narrowed it down for you by making a list of the top spots you MUST visit while there. So get out your lucky charm and be prepared to have a little fun.

1. Gambling

It's hard to go to Vegas without visiting a gambling casino. I mean, slot machines are everywhere, including in the airport. But Caesars Palace is perhaps one of the best places to visit for your gambling pleasure. The hotel is one of the last old-school properties remaining. If you aren't a pro at gambling and don't want to lose all your money you may want to visit the Gamblers General Store in Downtown Vegas, which has a library of books on how to gamble. The Bellagio is one of the best places to go if you like poker and want to see some of the world's top players in action. If slots are your thing, you will want to head to the Palms, where the payouts are above average.

2. Tour the World

You can feel like you are travelling the world when you go to Vegas. That's because many of the hotels were built to pay homage to popular destinations around the world. The Paris Las Vegas makes you feel like you are in Paris visiting the Eiffel Tower. For a taste of Venice you can take part in a gondola ride at the Venetian. You can head to the Bellagio for a replica of Italy's Lake Como. If it's the Big Apple you want, the New York New York has a Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and Central Park.

3. Cocktails

If you are a cocktail connoisseur you should head to the Downtown Cocktail Room, where speciality drinks are rated on a level of 1 – very approachable – to level 5 – advanced palate. Wine drinkers can visit Aureole, where the bottles are housed in a four-story wine tower that requires harnessed “wine angels” to get them.

4. Museum

There are several museums you can visit here but the best ones include The Atomic Testing Museum and the Mob Museum, which details the mafia's involvement in Vegas. The Neon Museum will give you a visual tour through Vegas history. The Pinball Hall of Fame will allow you to look at and play more than 150 pinball machines.

5. Wynn Lake of Dreams

From the outside, this place looks like a small, tree-covered hill. But inside the resort, it's an Alpine-like retreat with a 150-ft mountain, 40-ft waterfall and old foliage that has been repurposed from the site's original Desert Inn golf course. You can dine here and watch as the lake comes alive with more than four thousand lights, holographic images and music.

6. Tour the Strip

You can tour the strip for less than $10 if you hop on one of the city’s double-decker buses that will take you through the Strip, downtown and back again. Known as the Deuce, these buses are cheap - $20 will get you a three-day pass.

7. Water Show

One of the most popular attractions at the Bellagio is the signature dancing fountains. The fountains erupt every half-hour beginning at 3 p.m. And every 15 minutes from 8 p.m. until midnight. You can visit this attraction while waiting for an even bigger one – Cirque du Soleil's most sophisticated show, O, which has more than 70 swimmers, divers, aerialists, contortionists and clowns who perform incredible acrobatic feats around a pool that has 1.5 million gallons of water.

8. Wedding

Las Vegas is well-known for shot-gun weddings so if that's what you're looking for you will want to visit the Little White Wedding Chapel, where Sinatra married Mia Farrow. Another popular chapel is the Viva Las Vegas Chapel, where you can get married by Elvis – well, not really Elvis, but you know what I mean.

9. Spa

Whether you want to detox after a night on the town or take part in a relaxing retreat, Vegas has you covered. Sahra Spa & Hammam at the Cosmopolitan is among the most unique spa, where you can opt for services ranging from a 50-minute massage or facials to indulgent spa treatments like the Moroccan Journey, which uses the hammam's 103-degree temperature for an exfoliating, detoxifying and rehydrating experience. The Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace and the Spa at Red Rock are also popular spa destinations.

10. Mermaids

Yes, I said Mermaids. While there are several places to drink in Vegas, the Mermaid Bar & Lounge at Silverton is one of the most unique. Here you will sip your drink in the company of silver-finned women. The lounge actually features a bar that faces an underwater tank where you can watch the women mermaids swim around. You can also visit Frankie's Tiki Room, a colourful, local dive that is popular with tourists.